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  • Creating an Intentional Community for Your Kids to Improve Their Well-being

    Parents’ primary role is to build a loving, supportive, and safe environment for their kids. There is nothing else more important than that. It’s not the overflowing closet with designer clothes and certainly not the room full of toys. Even when kids can’t verbalize it yet, they know what they want—time with you and the community they belong to. You will notice that in the way they act around you and your extended family/community. They feel safer. They are happier. That’s the goal that parents must try to achieve.

    But building an intentional community is more work than anyone thought. Who has to be in your community? And how can you exclude that nosy aunt that seems to comment on your children’s milestones whenever she sees them? Who can contribute to healthy childcare that will nurture and cultivate the values you set for your children?

    Questions to Ask Yourself

    Although catering to your child’s emotional needs is important, you have to eliminate people and communities who do not give you the support you need. So, if your mother-in-law berates you for the way you are raising your child, then it only means she cannot be in your intentional community. As much as she loves and cares for your children, her words’ impact on you will be detrimental to your mental health.

    Your needs are important, too. You need people in that intentional community to support and encourage you, especially when parenting becomes too hard. On top of that, you also need people who connect with and care for your child. Who are these people? Who goes out of their way to be a part of your children’s lives?

    You can easily identify people who are present in your children’s lives. They go out of their way to visit them. They make time for them even if it’s inconvenient for them. These people don’t need to be blood relations. They could be your friend or your distant relatives. Parents know these people. You know in your heart who have the best intentions for your children.

    Lastly, who are the people your kids are more comfortable with? They can be teachers, neighbors, or their friends’ parents? These people are the ones who will complete your intentional community. They will nurture their connections with your children.

    Start Building Your Intentional Community

    To begin, you have to be open and honest to the members of your intended community. They must know your children look up to them. This is the first step toward creating that intentional community. The members should know that they are playing a critical role in your children’s lives.

    Next, open up your life to your neighbors, church members, friends, and extended family. Let your children spend as much time with them as possible. Set play dates with the kids in the neighborhood. Provide a way for your community to get to know your children. You have to make an effort to be present at these events. Your kids will look at your presence as a positive sign that you approve of these relationships they are building.

    But It All Starts in the Family

    Father and children

    No matter how well thought of, an intentional community is bound to fail if you do not practice the same in your household. The community starts at home. Your children must receive the care, support, and encouragement they need from the household members. They will define themselves and identify with the values you espouse in that household before going out to the world and building relationships.

    Always be present and engaged. It is such a fast-paced world that it’s easy to forget your kids are just, well, kids. They crave your attention. They want to spend as much time with you as possible. It is exhausting to have to deal with many things in your life but giving time to your kids is one of the most rewarding things you can do. It is also the beginning of their intentional community. You are the first member of that community.

    Time is of the essence here. An intentional community cannot survive without you or the people in your kids’ lives spending time with them. Through time, you will nurture and cultivate the values that your kids will carry throughout their lives. That and an environment that cares, loves, and makes them feel secured are the most important things in an intentional community.

  • You Need To Take A Break From Scrolling On Your Phone

    Admit it; you spend most of your time on the phone or any device for that matter and depend on it to do everything from work to play. And while it’s not something to brag about, the vast majority lean towards more playtime instead of productive time.

    However, there are those days when we feel out of it, and it seems like motivation straight up opened the front door and left without saying a word. And while these moments are inevitable, they can have detrimental effects on our lives when they last longer than expected.

    So what gives? Who’s to blame for this sudden rush of boredom and kicking out motivation?

    Everything At Our Fingertips

    The quick and straightforward answer – it’s your phone. And because information, entertainment, and all forms of media are just a tap away, it has ushered in an era of bad habits. Nearly anyone can start tapping away at their phone and not notice that hours have gone by, and it eats up the time meant for doing that school project, work assignment, and even chores.

    Now, there’s nothing inherently wrong with keeping yourself updated and checking on your notifications, but these simple things are like dessert, and once you have a bite, you’ll want to consume more. And to emphasize this alarming issue, here are some examples to prove our point.

    #1 Endlessly Surfing Social Media

    I think we all can agree that social media is a breeding ground for sudden rushes of dopamine. All it takes to get hooked is to start scrolling through your feed, and before you know it, you’ve already gone through hundreds of posts, threads, cute dog videos, and spammed the react button more than you’d like to share.

    #2 Binging Movies Left And Right

    Moviehouses used to be a great reward after a tough week, getting to sit in front of a giant screen, and watching a blockbuster film while you chow down on some snacks. However, with the rise of streaming platforms like Netflix, all you need to do is open up the app, and you’ll have a vast selection of famous movie titles, TV series, and animated films to choose from. Binging then becomes possible, and you end up spending the entire weekend moping over romcoms.

    Office workers

    #3 Long Hours of Gaming

    Everyone likes to play, and whether you want to play Minecraft casually on your phone or play Valorant competitively on your PC, both instances are equally addictive. And because of the fun you derive from gaming, you end up spending long hours, which start swallowing up the time you intended for more productive things.

    We Are Overstimulated. The bottom line is that all these activities have overstimulated our brains, jampacked our senses with so much dopamine, to the point where we no longer find any purpose for doing other things. And because they’re much easier to do and take less effort, doing actual work becomes less appealing.

    Are We All Doomed?

    Luckily, no. While the future might seem bleak, there is plenty of hope to cling on when you look in the right places. And if you think you’re suffering from the lack of motivation caused by your phone and all these overstimulating activities, we introduce you to a dopamine detox. So here’s how you do it:

    #1 Cut Back

    At its core, you want to cut back on all the activities mentioned above and everything else that false under the category of addictive and overstimulating. And, yes, we know it sounds obvious, but the idea of refraining from short term pleasures is not a breathtaking new concept either.

    So begin by limiting your game time or set a schedule for when you’re allowed to scroll through your social media aimlessly. It might not be much at first, but it’s an excellent place to start.

    #2 Use Them As Rewards

    You might also want to consider using these activities as rewards so that you won’t necessarily feel like you are restricting yourself from doing anything you find fun. For example, if you’re finished with an hour or so of singing practice, you get 15 minutes to watch videos on YouTube.

    Feel free to tweak the number of rewards you get for every successful task according to your needs, but do remember not to overdo it, or else you’ll be preventing any progress.

    #3 Minimally Disruptive

    Lastly, keep things at a tolerable level and don’t try to make any significant changes right at the get-go. You want it to be minimally disruptive to your life as much as possible so that it becomes sustainable and more realistic.

    The last thing you want to happen is for a sudden withdrawal, where your body suddenly craves some form of stimulation, and you end up gouging yourself again. So work at your pace!

    It’s Not Impossible

    Overall, we should be thankful for the level of comfort and accessibility that technology brings us, but we should also know how to use them responsibly. And before you leave and apply these simple practices to your life, we want to tell you that the end goal is not impossible, so keep going!

  • 5 Natural Ways to Stay Energized at Work

    If you work freelance, you’re not tied down to a single job or company. You’re free to pursue any project or opportunity you want. But that also means that your business is directly tied to your health and energy. When you start to lose energy, your capacity to produce output is affected. But how can you keep your energy up if you spend most of your time working?

    Many people think that exhaustion is a normal part of being a freelancer. We’ve all been there: You work too much and sleep too little. But contrary to popular belief, fatigue is not normal. Luckily, there are many ways to regain lost energy and vitality. You can always work with someone who’s undergone health coach training to improve your well-being.

    There are also a few things you can do yourself to boost your energy.

    1. Go outside

    You’re not doing yourself any favors by spending most of your waking hours cooped up. Start your day by getting some natural sunlight. Sunlight exposure gives you an instant energy boost and promotes the production of vitamin D.

    You can use this time to do light exercises or for a quick outdoor walk. And even if you’re not in the mood for physical activity, simply going outside and catching some fresh air can wake your body up.

    2. Eat a snack

    Give your body some quick energy with a light snack. But avoid processed food like chips or cookies. Instead, look for something with a low glycemic index like raw fruits and vegetables and grains. For a well-rounded snack, make sure to balance your fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. Carbs will give you the energy you need while fats and proteins will keep you from overeating.

    For starters, you can mix low-fat yogurt with bran flakes or dip raw carrots in peanut butter. You can also make a smoothie from green vegetables and a fruit or two. These foods are rich in fiber, which helps in stabilizing your blood sugar levels.

    3. Drink water

    Chronic exhaustion can also be caused by dehydration, so make sure to drink lots of liquids throughout the day. Avoid sweetened or caffeinated drinks such as coffee and soda. Stick to water and fresh juices. Buy a tumbler or water bottle so that you can rehydrate whenever you want.

    4. Take a quick nap

    All the energy management tips in the world won’t help you if you don’t get enough sleep. If you still feel tired, a power nap might just do the trick. A quick half-hour nap should be enough to restore some of your lost energy. Just be careful not to oversleep.

    5. Regular short breaks

    Taking a break with officemates

    It’s easy to get lost in your work, but if you don’t allow yourself the occasional break, your brain will start to tire and you’ll get more distracted. Keep your energy levels stable by taking short breaks at regular intervals. For instance, give yourself a 10-minute break for every hour of work.

    These pointers will help you stay energized without relying on caffeine or supplements. If you still feel groggy during the day, you might want to reexamine your lifestyle or talk to your primary care provider for guidance.

  • Inspiring Children and Teens to Live with Christian Values

    Today’s generation tends to have an unstable sense of morality. What’s being taught to them by the Internet contradicts what their teachers and parents teach them. Because the youth generally prefers leisure over their studies, many of them gravitate towards the so-called values the world wide web imparts to them.

    Since giving up the Internet can’t be an option in the current tech-driven world, what parents can do best is to be an example for their kids and be active in teaching them Christian values. The things they learn from their excellent Christian school will only be strengthened if they’re also being applied at home and anywhere they go.

    Let’s learn how us parents can effectively influence our kids to live by their Christian upbringing.

    Teaching Children

    Since children are still attached and very much dependent on their parents, we can say that teaching Christian values is easier on them than on teens.

    When your kids begin asking questions about anything, including those that seem irrelevant to their Christian faith, do you best to answer the sensibly. To a young child, a simple “why” can already unravel multiple possibilities.

    Never answer their whys with “because I say so” or anything alike. To connect more deeply with them, make proper family time, where everyone will unplug and just spend time with one another. You can share stories, play games, cook or bake, and create something as a family. Quality time bonds families closer together and helps parents understand their kids’ aspirations profoundly.

    Read Bible stories to them, then ask them important questions afterwards such as “What is the main point of the story?” “Why did this character do what they did?” “What would you do in a similar situation?”

    As your kids answer those questions, it will be an opening for you to share your own values, and why you think it’s important for your children to acquire the same of such.

    Father and childrenInfluencing Teens

    With teens, especially those that haven’t been exposed to a Christian environment, teaching spiritual values can be more challenging. Their sense of what’s right and wrong tends to be influenced by pop culture, and disagreeing with them may make them feel offended and unaccepted.

    But instead of trying to “fix” your teen, make your home a safe place for making mistakes. A Christ-centered home isn’t a place for perfection, but rather for love. It should be filled with grace that will heal the wounds of their hearts, which can be antagonism, biting humor, and a set of corrupted moral values.

    When you teach them Christian values, remember that you aren’t a perfect parent, and it’s possible that some of your teen’s wounds are inflicted by you. Hence, don’t hesitate to apologize and admit your shortcomings. A home that promotes owning up to wrongdoings and forgiveness will encourage your teen to open up their hearts and minds for your teachings.

    Instead of imposing rules that they must read the Bible or attend Bible studies, simply practice good deeds at home. They’ll absorb them and realize that God’s teachings are of humility, kindness, compassion, and all other good things that go against the “lessons” being promoted in pop culture. Teach them the importance of discipline, self-control, gratitude, and prayer.

    Praying together as a family also helps a lot, regardless of your children’s ages. When one family member is facing a difficulty, openly pray for that particular family member so that your kids see that you acknowledge their hardships and that you intend for them to overcome it without judgement coming from you.

  • Effective Ways to Market Your Therapy Practice Online

    As a therapist, you’ve learned how to help people deal with the darkest thoughts they have in their mind. You’ve survived years of studying, counselling seminars, and gruelling licensing exams to set up the practice you have today. However, you may not have learned about marketing yet, let alone digital marketing. It may not be essential in taking care of patients, but marketing is necessary to reach those patients and help them.

    Over 96% of the United Kingdom’s population use the internet. And more than half of the people in the UK actively use social media. If your practice isn’t online, you may be missing out on engaging the people who need your expertise. Here are effective ways to improve your practice’s digital marketing.

    Increase Your Search Visibility

    Google is the most visited site among UK internet users. Plus, searches related to mental issues continue to rise. In fact, the term “depression” gets searched every two seconds. And while there are reliable resources online, some users may use them as a way to self-diagnose instead of seeing a professional. Ensure your expert advice is the first thing they click on Google through search engine optimisation (SEO).

    SEO is all about modifying your website’s elements and content so that it’s easier for both people and search engines to understand. This process also involves inserting keywords relevant to your practice and industry into your website’s content and copy to increase your site’s ranking on search results. It also requires creating articles with word counts of around 500 to 2,000 to keep your audience engaged with your site.

    A surefire way to reach the top of your audience’s search results is to work with a digital marketing agency that specialises in SEO. They’ll do all the keyword research and content creation for you, so you can focus on accommodating and treating your new and current patients.

    Digital CitizenshipBe Active on Social Media

    Social media sites like Facebook and Twitter are great platforms to reach your patients. There, you can share links and snippets of your website’s educational blog posts to gain more traffic to your site. Share basic self-therapy techniques to help your audience deal with their condition while also encouraging them to seek professional help if their symptoms get worse.

    These types of advice and informational posts are what get shares and engagement that lead customers to your practice. As such, you need to publish them regularly. Get help from a social media agency if you’re having trouble pushing out consistent content.

    Harness the Power of Email

    Over 60% of adults subscribe to some kind of newsletter, according to PowerInbox. This is because they inherently trust this medium. Engage your current patients through regular email newsletters. These can feature your new blog posts, promos, industry news, and even advice. Get current and new patients to join your newsletter by adding a subscription form on your site. You could even provide incentives like discounts upon joining. Make sure to send out emails on a fixed schedule (around once a week is fine) to keep your audience engaged and ware of your practice.

    Running a private therapy practice can be tough if you’re not getting enough patients. Get clients to your door by applying proper SEO strategies, being active on social media, and providing interesting and regular newsletters. With a stronger online presence, your schedule will be filled in no time.

  • 4 Hobbies You Can Turn into Jobs with the Help of Professionals

    You might not find it attractive to stay in your current desk job. The agony of doing something you do not love for your whole life can lead to a lot of regrets over missed opportunities. Income stability will likely be the only saving grace you have for your job. Fortunately, you can use your hobbies to help you get out of the situation. You will likely use it as a part-time job at first, but you can eventually turn it into a business.

    Here are some of the activities that can help save you from your current job:

    Performance Arts

    Music always finds its way to everyone’s hearts. Most people can likely sing or use an instrument. However, not everyone has the confidence and skills to show it to other people. You might also not have the effort and experience professional performers put into the career. If you want to make it into a part-time job, you should consider starting with practicing every day.

    If you improve your skills, you will be able to accept gigs at bars and restaurants. Most of your talent will likely be because of self-training. If you want to take things up a notch, you can hire a professional to teach you. You can take piano lessons to help you improve your skills. You can also hire a voice coach for your singing ability.

    Cooking

    Some people often dismiss cooking as a necessity and not a skill. Most homeowners will need to learn how to cook, which is possible by watching those who know how to or online videos.

    However, growth does not stop there. If you feel passionate about cooking, you should consider becoming a chef. You will be able to start by catering to events and family gatherings. This part-time job is ideal for those who are looking for new avenues. However, you will have to enter culinary school to help put your skills at a professional level. When you graduate from cooking school, you will be able to run a restaurant business.

    Photography

    photographer in studio

    It is not difficult to take pictures of things. All you have to do is click on the camera, and you will be able to get photographs you can keep as memories. However, those who are passionate about photography knows that the result will require a lot of preparations. Lighting, camera adjustments, and shadows play a big part in the photo. If you want to earn money using photography, consider learning about the techniques from a professional photographer. You will be able to start a studio if you have the proper skills needed for the job.

    Yoga

    For most people, yoga is a type of relaxing physical activity that is most effective in isolation. The meditation allows people to shape their mental and physical conditions into good shape. If you are practicing yoga, you are likely aware that becoming an instructor is an option. If you continuously take on the exercise, you will be able to learn the advanced techniques. Becoming a yoga instructor can be ludicrous, especially if you have a lot of students taking your classes.

    There are a lot of ways for you to earn money, which means that you can take a chance on leaving the job you do not like. If you get serious with improving your skills on your hobby, you will be able to turn it into your career.

  • Supporting Your Husband in His Start-Up: What Can You Do?

    It must be said that husbands are a little more precarious in the start-up business because they have the security of their families to think about. This is why most self-starting entrepreneurs are single or if ever married, are usually women.

    That is why it is important to commend your man for leaping faith if he wants to let go of the “security” that his present job holds and instead follow his passion. As a wife, how do you best support him? It’s not an easy road and he will need all the help he can get so read on to get some tips:

    Be Ready to Run Some Errands for Him

    It may take some time before your husband can contact a CDL driver staffing company to run his fleet of trucks for him so you and your van will have to do for now. Get ready to get down and dirty doing deliveries, meeting up with clients, driving him around town if need be. At times when he is busy working out kinks in his business, volunteer to run down the store and get him some of his favorite snacks.

    His Business Is Your Business Now

    Whatever it is that he is doing, you need to be up there with him. Even if it’s something that you’ve never had an interest in before like supplying car accessories to different auto shops, or running a bicycle repair shop, now’s the time be so. Not only do you need to be interested, but you also have to speak the language of his business. Read up on the nature of his product or service. Hang out with him (when you can) and learn the ropes.

    Be His Personal Advertiser

    It goes without saying that you are going to be a walking talking billboard for your husband. Not only because you are loyal to him but because you believe in his product. If you can be his social media manager, go ahead and do it, at least only in the beginning. Start with your circle of friends and your family. Talk about your business with the people you meet.

    Be His Number One Critic

    Probably the most important thing you need to do is be brutally frank about certain aspects where you need to be. If his homemade donuts are bland, you need to speak up. If he is a bit off on the social media site, tell him your point of view. Be frank but don’t be harsh.

    Positive Affirmations

    married couple in the sofa

    Everyday. Every time you can. Remember that what he is doing is especially difficult. Remind him about what an amazing father, husband, and provider he is. Always give him the strength to go on. Sometimes, when words cannot be said, a hug and a kiss are more than enough.

    Your role as a wife doubles when your husband decides to go for his passion project. Now you’ve got to put on your business hat as well. Always remember though that you are his wife first and what he needs most from you is your unconditional love and support.

  • Jury Duty: Preparing and Surviving

    You like getting the traditional snail mail. But not the bills from the phone or utility company or letters from the IRS. The one thing that you dread the most is a summons to be on jury duty.

    The Preparation

    The knowledge you gained from a couple of paralegal degrees while working for a law firm in Illinois got you out of the first invitation. However, you’re invited again. Calm down and take note of the following insights:

    1. Read. Open the envelope and read what’s written in the letter. You need to take note of the date when you have to make your appearance. While nothing will technically happen if you fail to appear, expect that you will be called again. So you might as well appear during the first invitation.
    2. The questionnaire. You need to answer the survey sent to you. Some of the questions might already be answered because of your voter registration record or other similar documents. It will also include specific questions, such as “Have you been involved in a lawsuit before” and “Have you been involved in a crime as a victim or perpetrator?” This is in preparation for the process called “voir dire,” which is essentially the process for the judge and counsel to examine the potential jurors.
    3. Inform the office. You need to inform your office about your impending jury duty. Your office cannot prevent you from taking on this responsibility. Unless your company has a particular policy regarding this matter, expect not to be paid during the time you are away from work. You need to provide your employer with a copy of the summons.
    4. Attire. Formal suits are not a requirement. Wear something that’s business casual, and be prepared for a cold courtroom. A shawl, sweater, or jacket should come in handy.

    lawyer signing documents

    Getting Through It

    The preparation is half of your ordeal. You need to be mentally and physically ready to survive the duration of the trial. Here are a few things to take note of:

    1. Get to know the surroundings. You need to familiarize yourself with your surroundings, the building in particular. Judges give out instructions about not discussing anything outside of the jury chamber. Still, you might find yourself in a hallway or toilet where you accidentally hear the discussions of lawyers and other parties to the trial. Look for nooks or bathrooms where you can find some quiet time.
    2. Listen and take notes. You can’t remember everything. You need to be convincing with your position in the jury chamber. You can do that if you take notes and rely on them when you make your arguments. Assign each witness a sketched an image, a nickname, and the most significant points you can recall about their testimony.
    3. Pack your food. It can get crowded at nearby restaurants or cafeteria. Bringing a snack and even a full meal eliminates the stress of finding a place to sit at a full restaurant.

    Bring your iPad, books, and other things that can serve as your entertainment. This will help you relax and recharge your mind. Lastly, be hopeful even if the trial drags on. It’s bound to end somehow.

  • Dealing with Your Kids’ Tantrums without Driving Yourself Nuts

    They say that having a baby is like taking care of a little angel that came down from heaven. Who can resist their coos, their adorable toothless smiles, their baby breath, and their innocence? If only babies would remain babies all of their lives, but no, it won’t happen. They turn into toddlers – monster toddlers, in many cases.

    Raising a toddler is another story. You will need some help in raising and teaching them basic things. In Salt Lake City, many daycare centers offer programs to enrich kids’ minds. It takes a village to take care of a child, after all. But sometimes, you cannot help but be frustrated when kids act out.

    The frustrating truth about child tantrums

    Taking care of a toddler can be an emotional roller coaster. One moment they’re all sweet and charming, and then they become little monsters a couple of minutes after. They can drive you nuts, but rest assured that this is just a phase that they’ll grow out of eventually. But first, we as parents need to understand why kids act that way.

    That sudden burst of emotions that occur in young children is called a tantrum. A child’s emotional and social skills begin to develop around 1 to 3 years old. This is usually the age they are still learning to speak and say their thoughts. However, some older children throw tantrums due to the same reason.

    Some children are still starting to discover things that influence the people around them. Hence they throw tantrums. For example, young children tend to throw tantrums when they do not get what they want. They think that by throwing tantrums, adults will give in to their requests, and then they will be happy again.

    Preventing tantrums

    father playing with his kid

    When your child throws a fit, it can be tempting to get mad and spank them. But remember that most likely, you have also been in their place when you were a kid. It can also be frustrating on their part not able to express what they want, so they do it by acting out. In other words, we need to understand our children because they have feelings, too.

    Fortunately, there are ways to prevent your child from throwing a fit. Here are some things that can help calm down your child:

    • Practice positive reinforcement. Make sure to acknowledge your child’s milestones and good behavior and give rewards from time to time.
    • Let your child decide for themselves sometimes. For example, let them choose what to wear or what to eat for dessert. This will help them in making decisions on their own later on.
    • If your child is about to throw a fit for not getting something they want, try to distract them. Bring them somewhere exciting or let them play in a playground.
    • Be reasonable when they ask for something. Some requests can be easily granted, while some can be impossible. You decide when to give in.
    • Try to keep your cool when a tantrum is happening. Your child might already be sleepy or hungry, so try distracting the child with other things.

    Tantrums are a normal thing, especially in young children, and they will eventually grow it out when they get older. As parents, we need to be patient as much as possible and be there for our kids in times when they need us the most.

  • Healthier Living without Pharmaceuticals

    Your body has its way of healing itself. While this might not be the case for severe illnesses and conditions, simpler ailments like minor pain and discomfort can usually be alleviated without the use of pharmaceutical drugs. Popping pills isn’t the answer to every problem. Sometimes, the natural way is better.

    Sleep

    Sleep is your body’s way of cooling things down and healing itself. Lack of sleep can leave you aching, stunned, and even suffering from migraines. 8-10 hours of sleep might not even be enough, especially after a tiring and stressful day. Regular and scheduled sleep is also essential as it allows your body to maintain a proper biological clock. Avoid artificial light a few hours before you turn in. Avoid the television, tablets, and smartphones; they mess with your head and tell your body that it’s still daytime.

    Sunlight

    The sun makes you happy — chemically happy. Exposure to the sun prompts the production of serotonin in your body. Serotonin balances your mood and gives you a feeling of euphoria. Bright sunlight during the mornings also reset your biological clock, priming your body for the day ahead. Try to get under the morning sun for a few minutes a day. It will brighten you up and give you a boost of energy.

    Exercise

    In a study that tracked more than 200,000 people from different parts of the globe and spanning for 35 years, researchers found that any amount of exercise reduces your chances of dying (from all causes) by 27 percent. Running was particularly effective in preventing heart disease, with runners decreasing their chances of dying from cardiovascular diseases by 30 percent. Regular exercise controls your weight, ensuring fewer aches and pains as you get old. The rush from exercising also produces endorphins that boost your mood and keeps you happy.

    Man doing front squats

    Herbal Medicine

    Even doctors can attest to the efficacy of certain herbal medicines. While turning to nature isn’t suggested for all ailments, especially the more serious ones, herbal medicine can provide alternative treatments for mild symptoms and slight pain. Herbal medicine is milder than pharmaceutical drugs. It doesn’t raise your tolerance to the medication at the same rate pharmaceuticals do, reducing the risk of dependency and addiction. Herbal medicines have fewer chemicals and toxins and are a lot easier on your kidneys.

    Alternative Healing

    Acupuncture, deep meditation, reiki, and many other alternative healing practices have been proven safe and effective in treating particular ailments. These methods are a form of natural therapy that can complement — not replace — standard treatments and therapies. You might need a training provider to learn the various healing methods, especially if you want to practice them at your own home or with the people you care for. Not every healing method is safe and effective, but those that have stood the test of time (sometimes in centuries) are usually deemed reliable and useful.

    Pills are not the answer to every ailment. Keep your body healthy by following healthy practices and explore natural medicine and healing methods that could reduce your dependency on pharmaceutical drugs.